Judith Aisthorpe is an award-winning politics and crime reporter at The Northern Territory News, where she has spent her career amplifying stories from Australia’s remote communities. Her work bridges policy analysis with human-centered storytelling, particularly in Indigenous affairs and public safety.
We’ve followed Judith Aisthorpe’s career as a dedicated journalist at The Northern Territory News, where her reporting has become synonymous with community-driven storytelling. Over her tenure, she has carved a niche in politics, crime, and Indigenous affairs, blending investigative rigor with a deep commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.
Judith’s journey began at NT News, where she quickly distinguished herself through coverage of high-stakes local issues. Her early work on the 1996 Palmerston police shooting established her as a journalist unafraid to tackle complex crime stories while maintaining sensitivity toward victims and first responders. Over time, she expanded into political analysis, particularly focusing on how territorial policies intersect with Indigenous rights and remote community development.
This award-winning series exposed systemic gaps in police transparency regarding sexual assault cases. Aisthorpe and co-author Madura McCormack combined survivor testimonies with leaked documents to reveal how critical crime details were withheld from the public. The investigation prompted an official review of police media protocols, demonstrating Judith’s ability to drive institutional accountability.
Through interviews with officers and affected families, Judith reconstructed the 1996 shooting’s lasting trauma on Darwin’s community. Her nuanced portrayal of first responders’ PTSD sparked conversations about mental health support for emergency workers, later influencing territorial workplace safety reforms.
Judith’s profile of Flinders University’s medical program highlighted its success in training Indigenous healthcare workers. By tracing graduate Dr. Paul Secombe’s journey from student to ICU consultant, she underscored the importance of localized education in addressing health disparities—a theme central to her broader reporting on remote community development.
Judith prioritizes stories demonstrating how territorial legislation directly impacts Northern Australians. For example, her "Restore Our Rights" series linked police media policies to community safety outcomes. Pitches should emphasize actionable insights from local leaders, particularly in law enforcement or Indigenous advocacy groups.
Her Flinders University piece exemplifies interest in programs bridging urban resources with remote needs. Successful pitches might explore innovations in telehealth services or Indigenous-led mental health initiatives, backed by data from organizations like the Menzies School of Health Research.
Judith’s Palmerston shooting coverage balanced factual reporting with emotional depth. Sources offering survivor perspectives or critiques of support systems for crime victims align with her approach. Avoid sensationalism; instead, focus on systemic improvements inspired by individual stories.
“Telling the difficult stories that need to be told isn’t just a job—it’s a responsibility to those who trust us with their voices.”
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
